Ben Malena

2008: 2,202 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns; 21 catches for 283 yards and 2 touchdowns
2009: 107 carries for 722 yards and 11 TD's; 11 receptions for 161 yards

2008: 5A Second Team All-State (TSWA); Second Team All-Dallas Area (Dallas Morning News); District 7-5A Offensive Most Valuable Player
2009: 7-5A First Team All-District; 3 star recruit by ESPN.com / Scouts Inc.; Ranked 33rd among running backs nationally by ESPN.com / Scouts Inc.

Malena struggled through an injury-plagued senior season, finishing with just 722 yards and 11 touchdowns on 107 carries (he also added 11 catches for 161 yards). However, it was Ben's junior season that put him on the recruiting map and earned the Second-Team All-Area and 5A All-State underclassman an Aggie offer. In 2008, Malena was the District 7-5A MVP, running for 2,202 yards and 35 TD's on 324 carries. He also caught 21 passes for 283 yards and two scores.

At 5-9 and around 215 pounds, Malena is a compact and sturdy runner who, despite his lack of ideal measurables, has shown the ability to carry the load. A "one-cut and get downhill" runner who displays excellent balance, power and vision for the cut-back lane, Malena's low center of gravity and very sturdy build allow him to avoid taking much punishment. That's going to be important for Ben at the Big 12 level because he's more of a between-the-tackles back than he is an outside ball-carrier.

Ben chose the Ags very early in the process and, at the time, held offers from Tech, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas State and Baylor.

"Ben is a great kid. I've known him since the sixth grade and, since he's been here, he's been an incredible kid for us. As a football player, he has great vision and balance. He's one of those running backs that is a perfect fit for a pro-style offense because he's patient and understands what holes to hit. He can bounce it to the outside, but he's not one of those guys who is going to bounce it outside whenever he doesn't need to. I see some high school running backs that make some big plays, but miss out on a lot of big plays because they aren't patient. Ben's a very patient running back. That and his maturity are what has been most impressive to me." - Cedar Hill head coach Joey McGuire.

"Malena is a quick, darting runner that has battled injury for much of his high school career. When healthy, he is a prospect that can be an asset in the passing game in space as well as a runner with the burst and quickness to accelerate through a small crease to the second level." - ESPN recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton.